Immunostimulatory Potential of Fruits and Their Extracts in Poultry

Abstract

The impact of antibiotic use for growth promotion in livestock and poultry production on the rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in bacteria led to the ban of this practice in the European Union in 2006 and a restriction of antimicrobial use (AMU) in animal agriculture in Canada and the United States of America. There is a high risk of infectious diseases such as necrotic enteritis due to Clostridium perfringens, and colibacillosis due to avian pathogenic Escherichia coli in antimicrobial-free broiler chickens. Thus, efficient and cost-effective methods for reducing AMU, maintaining good poultry health and reducing public health risks (food safety) are urgently needed for poultry production. Several alternative agents, including plant-derived polyphenolic compounds, have been investigated for their potential to prevent and control diseases through increasing poultry immunity. Many studies in humans reported that plant flavonoids could modulate the immune system by decreasing production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, T-cell activation, and proliferation. Fruits, especially berries, are excellent sources of flavonoids while being rich in nutrients and other functionally important molecules (vitamins and minerals). Thus, fruit byproducts or wastes could be important resources for value-added applications in poultry production. In the context of the circular economy and waste reduction, this review summarizes observed effects of fruit wastes/extracts on the general health and the immunity of poultry.

Immune-Related Gene Expression Profiling of Broiler Chickens Fed Diets Supplemented with Vinification Byproducts: A Valorization Approach II

“…The immune regulation on a transcriptional level was not considerably impaired in the GGP- and WYC-fed broilers. These results are in accordance with the observations of Hasted et al [ 32 ] where the majority of trials supplementing polyphenols in broilers diet had no effect on immune status. However, a suppression of the mRNA levels of the pro-inflammatory mediators would be expectable and desirable due to the high proportion of epicatechin [ 48 , 49 ] and b-glucans [ 50 ] in the GGP and WYC groups, respectively.…”

“…Previous studies have trumpeted the immune-enhancing properties of grape pomace based only on a positive response in the IgM in the primary titer of broilers fed with grape pomace [ 30 , 31 ]. Notably, Hasted et al [ 32 ] summarized eleven studies focused on the effect of grape byproducts on poultry immunity. Interestingly, 9 out of 11 studies did not observe any effect on immune regulation, 2 out of 11 demonstrated a significant improvement in antibody levels, while there were no data about their effect on the pro-inflammatory regulation.…”

Potential Effects of Anthocyanin-Rich Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) Extract on the Growth, Intestinal Histomorphology, Blood Biochemical Parameters, and the Immune Status of Broiler Chickens

“…Total anthocyanin concentration was estimated using pH differential protocol [32] as described in Wu et al [33]. The absorbance (Ab) was calculated by Equation (1).…”

“…Recent poultry feeds are manufactured to satisfy their nutritional needs. Still, more research is required to determine whether these feeds sufficiently maintain the birds' immunity system or if additional components are needed to enhance their immune function [1]. Furthermore, the growth performance improvements in broiler chickens are associated with intestinal health [2][3][4][5].…”

Integrated Analysis Reveals a lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA Network Associated with Pigeon Skeletal Muscle Development

“…Poultry meat has become the most consumed and affordable type of meat among animal sources, worldwide [2]. By 2026, poultry meat is expected to account for 45% of global meat consumption [3]. In recent years, with improvements in living standards, people have begun to pay more attention to meat quality.…”